Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Texas Border Business
At the 2025 Hidalgo County State of the County Address, Raul E. Sesin, general manager of Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, outlined significant progress in flood control while emphasizing innovative solutions to long-standing water challenges.
Sesin said geography poses constant difficulties. “In our county, we have an approximate drop of about 300 feet from the western section to the center part, and from there only about a 30-foot drop to the east,” he explained. “That means slow-moving water.” He added that the district also relies on the IBWC floodway system, which is designed to divert river water but is also used locally for storm drainage. “When water is going through there, we have to manage gates and pumping systems,” Sesin said, noting that pumping is less efficient than gravity flow.
Despite these challenges, Sesin reported substantial progress. Since the approval of drainage bonds in 2018 and 2023, the district has completed over 330 miles of drainage improvements and added 656 acres of detention capacity, improving drainage for more than 659 square miles of Hidalgo County.
He also highlighted the Delta Water Management Project, which he described as “a first in the state of Texas.” The project will divert stormwater from drainage channels, store it in retention areas, and treat it for use as potable water. “TCEQ has permitted us to extract water at four locations,” Sesin said, including three in Hidalgo County and one in Willacy County. Once built, the first water treatment plant could supply drinking water for 80,000 to 100,000 people, while also easing flooding by diverting runoff. “It’s a dual-purpose project,” Sesin said, “and we’re proud that we’re the first in Texas to do this.”
Sesin credited county voters for approving bonds that made these improvements possible. He added that the district is continuing to widen systems for greater capacity and easier maintenance. “We look at what has worked and what we need to develop better so we can create a greater impact for our community,” he said.
Judge Richard F. Cortez praised the district’s work, calling Sesin “Mr. Opportunity” for turning drainage challenges into opportunities for growth. Cortez said the projects not only protect residents but also open the way for development in areas once prone to flooding.
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